This research aims to bridge the information gap pertaining to the utilization of building information modeling (BIM) in steel building projects. Therefore, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to synthesize the available uses. This research involved three phases—planning, execution, and reporting—according to the PRISMA guide, which includes the main aspects of identification, screening, and eligibility. As a result of the SLR, it is evident how and where BIM facilitates steel building projects, which were grouped into three different categories according to their main BIM topics. One of the uses that stands out as a common denominator across the different processes is “early integration”. Early integration allows for optimization of the design based on existing resources, directly affecting the cost and time of steel building projects in a positive manner.

This study aims to design a BIM integration model for steel building projects (BIM-DFE). It was developed in the following three phases: (i) theoretical phase, (ii) validation phase, and (iii) statistical analysis for the theoretical phase. A literature review was conducted to study the applications of BIM in steel building projects and to develop an integrated BIM process map for the construction lifecycle of steel buildings. Subsequently, in the validation phase, 32 participants were invited to complete a two-round Delphi questionnaire to validate the BIM-DFE proposal. The participants were classified according to their knowledge level (skilled or expert). Based on the literature review, a process map that integrates BIM in different phases of a steel building project was created. In the first round of the Delphi questionnaire for the validation phase, the various groups studied (skilled vs. expert) were in moderate agreement with the BIM-DFE proposal; however, after the second round, this agreement became better. Therefore, this study contributes to the current body of knowledge by providing a BIM integration model to improve the management of steel building projects as defined by critical stakeholders in the steel industry. In addition, a real-time case is presented to elucidate a part of the research contribution.